March 1, 2004

In reviewing what was at times a difficult 2003 lacrosse season, Villanova head coach Shannon O'Neil acknowledges there were tough moments.

"We didn't have the kind of year we had hoped to," says O'Neil, who begins her fourth season at the helm of the program on March 3 at Fairfield.

Although it may be tempting to put the recollection of a campaign that ended with a 4-11 record quickly into the rear view mirror, the reality is that not one of the principals involved has forgotten the trials. Indeed, a veteran group of Wildcats is eager to prove that, after two years of steady progress, 2003 was a complete aberration owed to injuries and inexperience.

"I think our kids are very excited about this season," says O'Neil. "They are working hard and are extremely focused on the goal of regaining that momentum we had built up coming into last season.

"Last year wasn't easy for any of us. We had a ton of serious injuries. There was a period where we probably lost some confidence, which happens when you get into a rut. But I think every one of us is determined to bounce back and we all learned something from last season."

The first order of business in 2004 is to replace graduated standout Meghan Carolan. The native of Long Island enjoyed four stellar years on the Main Line and her 118 career goals rank third all-time in the program's history.

"There's no doubt Meghan had a huge impact on our program," states O'Neil. "So much of our offense ran through her. She was such a dominant force that I think sometimes we relied on her too much."

Carolan led the Wildcats with 26 goals and tied for the team lead in assists with six. She is now an assistant coach to O'Neil.

Without Carolan on the turf, the plan is now to diversify. The good news is that there are a number of talented candidates on hand with the ability to help handle some of the scoring burden that so often fell on Carolan's shoulders in the recent past.

Among the more experienced candidates up front is junior Amy Rocap. Rocap made three starts in 15 games last season and produced six goals and one assist over the course of the campaign.

"Amy really knows how to attack and she has a quality shot," states O'Neil. "Last season was her first time back in the lineup after major knee surgery and it sometimes takes you a full year to get back to where you were. She looks much more comfortable in our workouts this year and she's capable of stepping up for us."

Rocap looms as one of the featured players this season, either on attack or possibly in the midfield.

Another experienced hand who figures to play a significant role on attack is junior Steph Haas. Haas has experience in the midfield and attack and O'Neil likes the skill the North Wales, Pa., native brings to the field.

"We're going to look to Steph a lot on the attack," notes O'Neil. "Her strength is her shot. It's hard and direct. She also has great stick skills and can run the offense for us.

"I feel very comfortable with those two up front."

There are also several newcomers in the mix who the coaching staff believes can have an immediate impact. Two freshmen, Tierney Hoover and Becky Gardner, are part of that contingent.

"I expect Tierney to fit right into what we are trying to do offensively," explains O'Neil. "Her stick skills are strong and she is very adept as a playmaker. She knows how to find people when they are in position to score.

"Becky is one of the fastest players we have in our program and speed is such an important ingredient in this game. She has a good understanding of the game and can contribute to the offense from the midfield."

The second and third leading scorer from the 2003 edition are also back and are being counted upon to play a major role in the offense.

Sophomore Cindy Koza contributed 14 goals and six assists last season in making 14 starts as a midfielder.

"Cindy reads the defense really well and will be a huge asset to us," says O'Neil.

Senior Katie Mannix emerged as an offensive threat on attack last season and will reprise that role again in 2004. Mannix scored 13 goals and added three assists in '03.

"Katie dumped a lot of goals into the net when she got her chance last year," noted O'Neil. "She has a lot of experience and can get open in transition for us."

Freshman Molly Grace will contend for minutes on attack along with classmate Christina Bahrs.

"Molly and Christina are both skilled," said O'Neil. "They give us more options on attack."

Stephanie Simpson, a junior, is also in the mix on attack or in the midfield.

"Steph has looked good early and can really help us," notes O'Neil.

Midfielder Katie Komlo has made solid contributions in her first two seasons on the Main Line. Last year, she chipped in with six goals and five assists.

"Katie was slowed by an ankle injury in our preseason workouts," says O'Neil, "but I expect her to be at full strength when we begin the season. That's important to us because she brings quickness, speed and good stick skills to our program."

One of those who has battled the injury bug is junior midfielder Lindsey Syphard. The native of Bel Air, Md., was limited to eight games in 2003 and O'Neil is eager to incorporate Syphard back into the mix of action.

"We like to use Lindsey in transition," O'Neil states. "She's a good player and we're working with her on how she can be more effective with her shot."

With one season of experience under her belt, sophomore Kristen Morea appears destined to see more work in the midfield. Morea saw action in 11 games last season but did not start.

"We need Kristen's speed," says O'Neil. "I expect her to see much more playing time this year than she did last season."

Freshman Amy Babington will also get a long look in the midfield as O'Neil seeks to bolster the depth in that part of the roster.

While there figures to be plenty of competition for spots on attack and in the midfield, that is less true on defense. The 2004 Wildcats will lean heavily on a pair of senior captains, Lauren Ferrara and Rachel Damalouji, who have logged heavy minutes since arriving at Villanova.

"Those two," O'Neil states, "run our defense and really give us a feeling of security back there. Their teamwork is fantastic. Each one of them anticipates shots and can cover the top offensive players of our opponents. As a coach, it's great to know that you have people like that in front of your own goals."

Junior Bess Hanley also has seen plenty of action and will again in 2004. It may be on defense or she could factor into the equation in the midfield.

"We will play Bess at both ends," states O'Neil. "She is strong and knows how to play defense but can also help in other spots. It's always good to have someone like that on your team."

Sophomore Palley Jackson has been moved to defense this season after spending much of last year up front.

"Palley has looked great in workouts and we think she will give us a boost," O'Neil states.

Juniors Kristen Cornicello and Colleen Incandela add depth to the defense. In addition, there are several newcomers who figure to earn playing time as O'Neil looks to a defensive future beyond Damalouji and Ferrara.

Freshman Whitney Boulton hails from Brightwaters, N.Y. and should quickly step into a role on defense.

"Whitney has been a nice addition to the team," states O'Neil. "She's a strong player with the ball and is learning where she needs to be at this level. We think she will help us."

Kristen Hicks is another novice who could be a factor on defense or possibly the midfield.

"Kristen has been in the midfield in some of our early workouts but we're looking to have her make the transition to defense. She has a lot of skills that can help us there."

There are still other freshmen who have a chance to make their presence felt in the midfield and on defense. Marissa Lucy and Jamie Schneider were teammates at Worcester Prep who should be able to find a role in the mix of 2004 Wildcats.

"Marissa is someone we're looking at to help us down low on defense. She could see a lot of time alongside Lauren (Ferrara) and Rachel (Damalouji)," O'Neil says. "Jamie has a chance to contribute too in the midfield."

The key newcomer is goalie Jessica Brozena, a freshman from West Long Branch, N.J.

"Jess is a fantastic goalkeeper," states O'Neil. "She sees the field better than any goalie we've had here and is very vocal in running our defense. That allows us to make quicker decisions and will help our transition game."

O'Neil believes that in part because of Brozena, Villanova's defense is its primary strength.

"Our defense is solid and it communicates well," she states. "We have experience and the new kids have fit in well.

"We have some talented kids on attack too. I think we will have good balance and we have good skill. Midfield is probably the one area where we lack some depth. But hopefully that will come as our young people develop."

The aim is to erase the memory of 2003 and regain the considerable momentum that was established in 2001-02 as the 'Cats attempt to return to the Patriot League Tournament.

"We've got a good group of kids who know how to play," O'Neil says. "I think they're all eager to prove that we are a good team again."